Loaded guns now allowed in national parks

February 22, 2010

A new law takes effect today, allowing loaded guns in major national parks and wildlife refuges, including Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon. [Los Angeles Times]

The law lets licensed gun owners bring in firearms as long as they are allowed by state law. Guns will be allowed in all but 20 of the park service’s 392 locations, including Yosemite National Park. However, guns will not be allowed in visitor centers or ranger offices because guns are banned in federal buildings.

The decision to allow guns in national parks comes as a result of intense lobbying by the National Rifle Association. Observers also suggest that the political climate regarding the issue has shifted dramatically since a 2008 Supreme Court decision reinforcing the right of the individual to possess firearms for self-defense.

Bill Wade, president of the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees, calls the decision a sad chapter in the evolution of the park system.

“People go to national parks to get away from things that they face in everyday living, where they live and work. Now I think that social dynamic is really going to change.”

9 Comments

“However, guns will not be allowed in visitor centers or ranger offices because guns are banned in federal buildings.”

Well that’s a shame, because that’s where they’re needed the most. (joke, sort of). Actually, I’m fine with this rule as long as law enforcement is also not allowed to carry guns in federal buildings, unless they’re responding to a gun-related crime.

I am vehemently anti-war (except in circumstances of direct defense against violent action), but pro-gun. Apparently many people want only the most violent, murderous, relentless, and corrupt organization in the world, the U.S. federal government, to have all the guns.

The precise reason that guns are so effective in crime is that most law-abiding citizens have been disarmed.

“People go to national parks to get away from things that they face in everyday living, where they live and work,” okay, your three miles out and a big bad ass bear, a hungry bear mind you, approaches, slowly you reach to your side and pull that giant side wider you’ve been lugging around all day, boom, a round in the air and hopefully you live, in Alaska you might have to shoot the bear,,,yeah with remorse, but the bear would eat thou said the wise man, the wise man said, “have you ever seen the look a polar bear gives before they attack?” I am with the gun crowd on this one, I believe that a person who is not a felon, should be able to carry a gun where ever there is a danger of a harm present. The felons just don’t get to go hiking, sorry gave up that right, or straight up hit that bear with a bat.
Okay here’s another incite, what about the millions of women who would love to see the sights but were always to frightened by the possible actions of the more neanderthal males in this diminished society. Two completely different and abstract views both pro gun, down side some idiot with a gun shoots us, there should be permits, training, insurance, taxes, fees, remember this is America and we need revenue said the revenuer. Wrong free guns and bullets to those who pass the class.

How come the what ifs you guys just randomly make up to back your point always seems to work out in your favor?

What if your kid gets a hold of the gun and shoots his little sister?

What if the woman never gets the gun out of her purse but after being robbed the “neaderthal” finds the gun and shoots your wife in a later robbery

What if you lose your job and your wife leaves you and when you see the gun in the cabinet you realize there really is no hope nor reason to go on living so you blow your brains out in a moment of weakness?

I guarantee you more kids have been shot, guns have been stolen and gun owners have committed suicide at a far greater rate than people who shoot bears in self defense

By the way my family lives in Alaska and I like to go fishing up there and I dont go without a .12 gauge mauser but when I am in yosemite I just make sure to responsibly store my food because thats all thats needed, then again Im not a paranoid type

Dear Ososkid, got a permit for that Mauser? You are smart to bring it, can you clarify this sentense or repharse it,

What if the woman never gets the gun out of her purse but after being robbed the “neaderthal” finds the gun and shoots your wife in a later robbery
” You’re right, if we lived in a perfect society! Watch Dateline last week, they actually showed pictures of a young woman, after being raped and strangled!” I bet she wishes she had the choice of being armed or not, well if she can wish.” I know if you saw this show your veiws might not just be your parents views, take a veiw good looks at some victems of serious violent crime and you might just give some the chance to defend themselves, over all osokid good post, well written but I don’t like you talking about my wife sonny, P.S. I am your friend you have good points and if you checked the stats.,, you are probably correct,,, I just want to choose,,, if no one had guns the bad guys would just walk in to any house.

There is no reason for me to expect to you know this but Just for the record in 1995 I stood about 10 feet from my friend as he was shot twice in the chest and once in the face because he fliped off a gun owner while I was visiting him in Fresno, so please understand that I have a pretty god damn of understanding of violent crime. If had a gun it would not of made a difference but if the other guy didnt have one it would have made all the difference in the world.

You guys think that having a gun is some sort of magic safety device but the truth is your just shadow boxing in your mind. It is my expierence that most of the pro gun circuit amounts to little more than loud mouth wanna be tough guys who are more dangerous than they realize.

You got that last sentence right,”It is my experience that most of the pro gun circuit amounts to little more than loud mouth wanna be tough guys who are more dangerous than they realize.”
You are hanging with a delinquent juvenile crowd, my boy, upscale, find out what a truly capable male or female can do with a 40 cal. Obviously your traumatic loss extorts your vision.
Ososkid, the doors kicked down, your wife is behind you, your children are on the floor, the door is in splinters, your wife screams as she see’s her attackers approach, what do you do?
Call 911, like every other house on the block, why because this is anarchy, tyranny, and the walls come tumbling down around you, if you can’t defend yourself don’t expects others to bail you out in a time of sheer desperation, which is soon to come given the world’s current event’s aren’t exactly up to par, the choice is simple as pie, do you want to defend your home or die.